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Where is it!? I dug frantically through my makeup bag as the buildings outside the car flew past. “I could have sworn I packed it. It’s not here!”

“What’s not there?”

“Mascara! I forgot mascara!”

If I didn’t need gluten free makeup, this event would be nothing. All I’d have to do is waltz into the nearest drugstore, snag a new mascara and skip back out. Problem solved.

But I do need gluten free makeup. And I can’t just grab any ‘ol mascara.

“Where am I gonna find gluten free mascara!?”

Emergency or not, there are hundreds of situations where you would rather buy what you need in a store.

You want a see a color first hand

You dislike shopping online

You’re worried about summer heat melting something shipped to you

You want to take a shopping trip with your girlfriends

Etc., etc., etc.,

There are very few companies that have this option. But the one I’m reviewing today does.

Gabriel Cosmetics has 5 lines:

Gabriel Color

ZuZu Luxe

Gabriel Organics

Clean Kids Naturally

Nail Collection

Today, I’m reviewing products from the Gabriel Color and ZuZu Luxe lines, along with one from the Nail Collection. Both of the makeup lines are certified gluten free by the Gluten Intolerance Group! The main difference between the lines is their color selection. Gabriel Color has brighter, more modern shades. ZuZu Luxe tends more towards classic, more laid back shades.

ZuZu Luxe Shades of Nude Lip Palette

With four different nude colors and an included lip brush, this palette covers the bases for a wide variety of skin tones. The colors are too dark for very fair skin, but work well for light, medium and dark skin. Whether you’re cool, neutral or warm, there’s a color here for you.

This is actually the first time I’ve ever played with a lip palette. But since I’ve already played with applying lipstick with a brush, it was second nature to use the palette. The texture of the products is waxy, with only a tiny bit of moisturizing built into them. It’s not drying, but it’s not going to replenish your dry lips either. This texture reduces feathering and smearing, as well as improving wear time. Since it’s not a tube of lipstick to toss in your purse, it’s a good thing this lipstick is long-lasting.

The color payoff is decent, but if your lips are already highly pigmented, expect to get a true mixture of your lip color and the product color. Of course, since these are all meant to look nude, this works out well.

Gabriel Color Classic Palette – Platinum

Featuring eyeshadows, blush and finishing powder, this palette puts together half the color you need for a complete look. The shadows are a combination of warm and cool tones, while the blush is neutral enough that it should work on most skin tones. The finishing powder has no color whatsoever, and seems a slightly random addition to the palette.

The shadows are attractive, neutral colors. Decently pigmented, easy to wear and blendable, they tend a little towards being chalky. If your lids are normal, they apply well and wear reasonably on their own. However, if your lids are very oily, they will crease badly. Always wear eyeshadow base if you have oily lids. The colors are lovely though and make a wonderful neutral eye.

The blush is beautifully pigmented and blends well. Creamier than the eyeshadows, it gives a delicate wash of color that works well for a variety of skin tones.

Despite the odd addition of the finishing powder, it’s actually an excellent product. Without adding chalkiness, it leaves a smooth, matte finish. This product is an excellent way to polish off your look.

ZuZu Luxe Mascara – Oynx

If you’ve read my gluten free mascara feature post, you already know a bit about this already. You know it’s affordable, as well as being one of the easiest mascaras to find in stores. But what you don’t know are the details on how it works.

This mascara is a true black color. The thickening is acceptable, but where the mascara really shines is in adding length. Of all the mascaras I’ve tried, ZuZu Luxe’s mascara adds the most length.

With average wear, this mascara does not flake or smear too badly. However, if the environment is wet, or your eyes are watering continually, any hard blinks will leave a healthy smear under your eyes. It’s easy enough to wipe off, but if you’re going to be sneezing all day, or will be near lots of water, this mascara will have issues. But again, it does stand up to average wear just fine.

Also, with their natural and gentle formula, this mascara is fantastic for sensitive eyes. I can wear it all day without problems.

Gabriel Color Lipstick – Meritage

Intense, but wearable: That defines Gabriel Color’s Lipstick shades. The Meritage color is no exception. A rich, full-bodied wine shade, Meritage packs an elegant punch. It has no sheen, but is a cream finish that lends itself well to all ages.

Of all the lipsticks I’ve ever tried, Gabriel Color’s may be the longest lasting. Like the ZuZu Luxe lip palette, Gabriel Color Lipstick has a waxy texture. It just stays and stays and stays, with almost no feathering, even after eating. When applied with a lip brush and on top of lip pencils, even after a dinner of salad I did not need to reapply the lipstick. I’m extremely impressed with the wear of Gabriel Color’s Lipstick.

In addition, the color payoff is excellent. Even with pigmented lips, the color is remarkably true.

Gabriel Nail Polish – Fauno

Gotta be honest here… I rarely wear nail polish. I loathe doing the whole 9 yards of base, polish and top coat, then still seeing my nails chip on the second or third day. So much effort for so little gain. What’s even the point?

Thus why I rather reluctantly tried the nail polish. Without base or top coat. I figured it’d last a day. But on day 4, it finally chipped for the first time.

Consider me sold. Gabriel’s Nail Polish has unusually good wear for such a reasonably priced, natural nail polish. With a nice finish of it’s own, good coverage and quick surface dry time, this polish is such a breeze to use, even I would love to get a few more colors to wear.

Speaking of colors, the Fauno is a deep, warm shade of nude. It’s too dark and too warm for my skin tone, even though I am warm toned. I think it would look better on someone a little darker than me, and perhaps warmer. That said, there’s a ton of other colors in the same line to play with. So I plan on checking some of those out, ASAP.

All in all, Gabriel Cosmetics has created a reliable, useable, beautiful collection of products. Their price-point is accessible to anyone, their quality good and their colors appealing to anyone, no matter their taste.